Masked Mob ATTACKS Journalists—Police Watch, Do Nothing

Three police officers standing on a city street.

Journalists covering immigration protests in Seattle and Minneapolis faced brutal assaults by masked left-wing agitators who punched, pepper-sprayed, and destroyed vehicles while police stood nearby without intervening, exposing a disturbing pattern of violence against press freedom that mainstream media refuses to acknowledge.

Story Highlights

Independent journalists Cam Higby and Brandi Kruse suffered violent attacks including choking, punching with sap gloves, and chemical spray during Seattle immigration protests
Nick Sortor’s vehicle was swarmed and damaged in Minneapolis with police lights visible nearby, yet officers failed to protect him or his equipment
Antifa-linked protesters used encrypted apps to coordinate assaults while labeling journalists as “fascists” for documenting their activities
Multiple investigations remain ongoing with no arrests reported despite video evidence and police reports filed

Seattle Protests Turn Violent Against Press

Independent journalist Cam Higby covered immigration demonstrations in Seattle when masked agitators surrounded him, attempted to unmask him, then choked and punched him with reinforced gloves before kicking his face. The assault left Higby seeking emergency medical care for a concussion. He later stated the attack “literally could’ve killed me.” Protesters subsequently destroyed a Jeep they mistakenly believed belonged to Higby, smashing its windshield in a vengeful act captured on video. Brandi Kruse, host of “Undivided” and former Fox affiliate reporter, experienced a separate assault during the same protests when agitators sprayed her with water and hornet killer insecticide.

Pattern of Attacks Across Multiple Cities

Nick Sortor, an independent journalist who frequently appears on Fox News, documented multiple violent encounters at anti-ICE protests across different cities. In Minneapolis during January 2025, protesters swarmed his vehicle, smashed windows, and stole camera equipment while police lights remained visible in the vicinity. Officers did not intervene as Sortor was forced to flee for his safety. Later in New Orleans, he faced another mob that surrounded him, struck him repeatedly, and attempted to steal his phone while he documented their activities. Sortor accused legacy media of deliberately covering up these incidents to protect the narrative that left-wing protests remain peaceful.

Coordinated Intimidation Using Encrypted Networks

The attacks reveal sophisticated coordination among far-left activist networks using encrypted messaging apps like Signal to track journalists and federal immigration officers. These “rapid response” systems allow protesters to swarm locations quickly, overwhelming targets before law enforcement can effectively respond. The same networks have been implicated in doxxing ICE agents and creating dangerous confrontations. This technological coordination represents an escalation from previous protest tactics, making it increasingly difficult for journalists to safely document events without facing immediate physical retaliation from organized groups who view media coverage as a threat to their operations.

Law Enforcement Response Draws Criticism

Despite physical assaults occurring in view of officers and police reports being filed with Tukwila and Minneapolis departments, investigations have produced no reported arrests. Victims wearing protective gear including helmets suggests they anticipated violence based on previous encounters with the same groups. Kruse noted the assailants represent “a very violent faction with a long history of assaulting journalists” in Seattle. The reluctance or inability of police to intervene during active assaults raises serious questions about whether officers received stand-down orders or felt constrained by political pressures in Democrat-controlled cities. This pattern of inaction emboldens agitators and signals to journalists that they cannot rely on law enforcement protection while covering politically sensitive protests.

Press Freedom Under Assault

These incidents form part of a broader trend dating back to 2020 when Antifa-linked groups targeted journalists during protests in Seattle’s CHOP zone and other cities. The attacks specifically target independent and conservative-leaning journalists who document protest violence that contradicts mainstream media narratives. By physically attacking reporters and destroying equipment, these agitators effectively create no-go zones for press coverage, allowing illegal activities and violence to occur without documentation. This represents a fundamental assault on First Amendment press freedoms that should concern Americans across the political spectrum. When journalists face concussions, chemical burns, and property destruction for simply documenting public events, the foundation of a free society erodes while legacy media outlets remain conspicuously silent about violence committed by those aligned with their political preferences.